Twas the night before Christmas (Juniper Place Yarns style)

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Place, no needles were clicking, not even a trace.   The mittens were hung by the front desk with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.  The customers were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of yarn cakes danced in their heads.  With Mom in her sweater and me in my shawl, we had just settled down for a long winter's sprawl.

When out on the sidewalk there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter. Away to the door I flew like a flash, brushed aside the scarves and put aside my stash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature UPS Truck , and eight tiny reindeer, with a little old driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than Quicksliver his reindeers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name. Now Katia! Now Sirdar! Now Ella and Rae! On Araucania, on Noro, on Debbie and Bliss! To the top of the yarn swift , to the top of the shelf, now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

Into a parking spot the reindeers they flew, with a UPS Truck full of yarns and St. Nicholas, too. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his routines, and filled all the shelves with gorgeous new skeins.  Then he turned with a jerk, laying his hook aside his nose, and giving a nod, out the  door  he goes. He sprang to his truck, to his team gave a twitch, and away they all drove, like the speed of a dropped stitch.   But I heard him exclaim as he drove off in a flash, Merry Christmas to all and to all Good Stash!

Mastering Marshmallows

After having so much fun with Flounce, I thought it was time I tried Marshmallows.  For those of you unfamiliar, this is one of those “Pom-Pom” yarns, only this one has Pom Poms that are oblong – like Marshmallows!  Hence the name!    In between each marshmallow is a strand of yarn about 2 inches long.  It’s this strand that you knit with, skipping each pom pom, and only using the strand.  Talk about instant gratification!   In less than an hour,  you have a super soft, squishy Marshmallow scarf!  So easy and fun – it’s only 4 stitches across!  Or you could make it wider for a super plush wrap.

I’m sorry to say that this one is probably just for knitters.  Beth and I have tried every which way to next Sunday to crochet with this yarn, and we have found that the length of the smooth strand in between the pom poms just isn’t long enough to form a crochet stitch.  I won’t actually say you can’t crochet with it,  but the results are not pleasing – it’s just solid marshmallows.  I even tried Tunisian crochet, and the results were the same. 

Flirting with Flounce

In case you haven’t heard, anything with ruffles is THE hottest trend right now, and last weekend we all learned how to knit and crochet with Flounce.   Oh boy, what fun!  It ruffles automatically - how cool is that?!   This fun yarn is actually a mesh that you open up and poke your hook or needle right through it instead of “yarning over” with the whole strand.  Do not be intimidated, it’s easier than it looks!  Trust me, if my 76 year old mother can do it (you know, Old Dog/New Trick!), you can too!

My mind is racing with all the possibilities!  While a ruffled scarf is the obvious choice for this yarn, there are so many other things you can do with it, and I can’t wait to try it as trim around the  neckline and cuffs of a sweater.   Other trim ideas are:  around a pillow, blanket, mitten cuffs, around the top of a felted bag.  It also makes a really cute barrette, brooch or hair scrunchie!

My supply of Flounce is literally flying of the shelf, and I am getting inquiries from all over the country!  Hurry and get yours before it's gone.